Romans 5: On Man’s Obedience

How can we change so quickly from God’s enemy to being part of his family?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Romans 5:1–2 Being justified by faith, we are no longer God’s enemies. We know peace through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom our faith allows us to have a relationship with him and share his glory.

King James

Romans 5:1–2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

In what ways can pain and suffering be regarded as blessings?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Genesis 50:20 You intended to injure me, but God allowed your wrongdoing for a good purpose, to save all the people you see alive today.

Romans 5:3 That’s not all we gain. We can even appreciate the blessings of pain and suffering, which prove and strengthen our faith.

2 Thessalonians 1:4–5 In all the Christian churches, we proudly speak of your faith and perseverance in your hardships and persecutions,
obvious evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you are worthy of the Kingdom of God for which you suffer.

1 Peter 3:14–17 If you suffer for doing good, rejoice. Don’t fear what people might think or do to you. Make good on your commitment to the Lord by preparing to share your experiences with those who might not understand how you have survived your struggles. Always be ready to reveal why you have hope in this tumultuous world. Don’t retaliate when people accuse you of wrongdoing. Respond with kindness just as Jesus would, and they will be ashamed of their slander. Suffering for doing good, if God allows it, is much better than suffering for doing evil.

1 Peter 4:13 Rejoice when you get to suffer for righteousness like Jesus, for you will be overjoyed when he returns in glory.

King James

Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

2 Thessalonians 1:4–5 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

1 Peter 3:14–17 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

What do we gain when we have to wait for the fulfillment of God’s promise?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Isaiah 40:31 Those who put their trust in the Lord will find strength in him. They will be like eagles, soaring upward when they spread their wings. They will be like the runner who runs the full distance without getting tired. No matter how far they walk, they won’t become exhausted.

Hebrews 10:36 We can be thankful for delays that bring patience, because endurance is essential for receiving God’s promise.

King James

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Romans 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

How would you compare the value of the Holy Spirit to everything else you have in life?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Luke 11:13 “If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, you can be sure your heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Luke 12:15 He said to the crowd, “Look, do not be greedy. Satisfaction in life does not come from having an abundance of possessions.”

Romans 5:5 No matter where we are, how much or how little we might have, or what transgressions might be a part of our past, we need not be ashamed, because God’s love for us is made obvious in his gift of the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts.

1 Corinthians 12:31 Desire the best that God has for you, but let me show you the best approach.

King James

Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

1 Corinthians 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

If we were his enemies, undeserving of even the smallest favor, why would Christ die for us, making the greatest of all sacrifices?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will live forever.”

Romans 5:6–8 Know this: Christ died for his enemies at a time when they were undeserving of his favor and were unable to help themselves. Rarely is love so great that a person will choose to die in order to save the life of someone else. When it happens, it’s always for someone especially deserving. The immense greatness of God’s love is proven by the fact that we were undeserving sinners when Christ died for us.

King James

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:6–8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

If believers have been forgiven for their wrongdoing, why do some think their pain and suffering is due to God’s punishment?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Psalm 126:5 Believers who sow in tears will reap an abundance of joy.

Luke 12:24 Look at the birds. They do not plant seeds, gather a harvest, or store grain in barns. Yet God feeds them. Aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?”

Romans 5:9 Because he chose to shed his own blood, we gained a relationship with God. But it’s much more than that. We are saved from being judged and punished for everything we’ve done wrong.

Galatians 6:7–8 Don’t be fooled, because God certainly isn’t. People reap harvests according to what they have planted. Plant seeds to satisfy your self-serving desires, and you’ll harvest corruption. But plant seeds to satisfy the guidance of the Holy Spirit and you’ll gain eternal life.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn’t slow in keeping his promise, not like some people think. He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, giving time for everyone to repent.

King James

Psalm 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Galatians 6:7–8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

What has to happen for enemies to become friends?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Romans 5:10 While we were God’s enemies, we were welcomed as if we were his friends, given life through the death of his Son.

King James

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Why do you think some Christians are struggling, finding it difficult to rejoice?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Romans 5:11 Because of the Lord Jesus Christ, who brought this reconciliation, we can rejoice in our relationship with God.

King James

Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Prior to the giving of the Law, how did people know when something was wrong?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Romans 5:12–13 The one man, Adam, sinned in the beginning and brought the nature of sin upon mankind, resulting in death. The world had been corrupt for all the centuries prior to Moses giving us the Law. But until we had the written commandments, there was nothing to establish with certainty that people’s actions were wrong.

King James

Romans 5:12–13 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

How did Adam’s disobedience differ from the wrongdoings of people with a sin nature?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Genesis 3:6 When Eve saw the tree’s fruit as attractive and delicious, something that would make her wise, she picked the fruit and took a bite. She then gave it to Adam, and he ate too.

Romans 5:14 The descendants didn’t disobey God like Adam did, yet they were still condemned to death, which proves that all mankind has the sin nature. The one man who got us into this mess points to the need for one man to get us out.

King James

Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

1 Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Why do you think so many people will reject the opportunity given to us through Jesus Christ?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the small gate. For many take the wide gate and broad road that lead to destruction.”

Matthew 7:19 “Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and burned.”

Matthew 7:22–23 “On Judgment Day, many will say, ‘Lord, didn’t we prophesy, cast out evil spirits, and do many wonderful deeds in your name?’ “Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you disobedient lawbreakers.'”

Romans 5:15 Adam’s sin stands in opposite contrast to God’s gracious gift. If so many died because of Adam’s transgression, how much more value should be placed upon God’s love, which was expressed through Jesus Christ, who brings the blessings of eternal life.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn’t slow in keeping his promise, not like some people think. He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, giving time for everyone to repent.

King James

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Matthew 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Matthew 7:22–23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

What makes one sin of greater consequence than another?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Romans 5:16 Adam’s one sin in the beginning led to our condemnation, but God’s gift allows us to be forgiven, no matter how many or how great our sins have been.

Galatians 3:12–13 The Law isn’t based on faith but promises life only if all its provisions are kept. On the cross, Christ saved us from the curse of the Law by being a curse for us, for Scripture says, Anyone hanged on a tree is cursed.

James 2:10 If someone were to keep the entire Law except for one small point is no less a violator than one who is guilty of all.

1 John 5:17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is a sin that does not lead to death.

King James

Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

Galatians 3:12–13 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

How is one man’s disobedience of little importance when compared to the obedience of Jesus Christ?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Romans 5:17–19 f one man’s disobedience caused death to rule over us, how much more will life reign in us through the obedience of one, Jesus Christ, by whom we receive God’s gift of love and acceptance. So now we know with certainty, one transgression resulted in the condemnation of everyone, but by the righteous act of Jesus Christ, we can receive forgiveness, right standing with God, and eternal life. By Adam’s disobedience, we became sinners, but by Jesus Christ’s obedience, we can be free from sin.

King James

Romans 5:17–19 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

As we recognize God’s forgiveness, how should our actions change?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Luke 7:47 “Isn’t it obvious? Her sins were very great, so she is exceptionally grateful to be forgiven. Those who receive only a little forgiveness have little love to give.”

John 14:15 “If you love me, you will do what I tell you to do.”

Romans 5:20 Laws have made our sins obvious, but they failed to eliminate our wrongdoing. The greater our sins are, the more God’s forgiveness means to us.

King James

Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

What does it mean to make someone “lord” of our lives?

Author’s Thoughts

Authors’s insights pending.

Author’s Paraphrase

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who calls me master will enter the Kingdom of Heaven but only those who do the will of my heavenly Father.”

Romans 5:21 No longer does sin bring the threat of death, not when we have made Jesus Christ our Lord. When his nature rules in us, governing our actions, we have right standing with God and eternal life.

King James

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.